New Delhi, Jan 26 || As India approaches Union Budget 2026-27, industry sentiment points to a clear shift from headline announcements to policy direction, continuity and execution, a survey showed on Monday.
Against global uncertainty and a calibrated fiscal consolidation path towards a deficit of about 4.4 per cent of GDP, Budget 2026 is being read as a signal of India’s medium-term economic intent, according to Grant Thornton Bharat’s ‘Pre Budget Survey 2026’.
With the economy expected to grow at around 6.5–7 per cent in FY26 and central government capital expenditure now more than three times its FY20 level, companies making long-term decisions on capacity, supply chains and decarbonisation are seeking stable policy frameworks, practical incentives and smoother execution rather than incremental or short-term measures.
On fiscal strategy, respondents favour a calibrated approach. While 35 per cent believe growth and employment should be prioritised even if fiscal consolidation slows, 28 per cent call for a balance between deficit control and growth-oriented spending, the findings showed.
A further 26 per cent stress strong fiscal prudence to sustain investor confidence, reflecting broad support for discipline without sacrificing momentum.